Mothers celebrated at JSC luncheon

GOLDEN GALS: Each and every lady who was at the JSC’s Mother’s Day Luncheon Friday received a red rose, courtesy of Linda Giorgio and the Golden Crest Nursing Home in North Providence.

(Sun Rise photo by Pete Fontaine)

Posted
Thursday, May 18, 2017 4:03 pm

By Pete Fontaine

There were no blue women inside the Johnston Senior Center last Friday, There were, though, lots of red roses as well as small, handmade artificial floral pieces.

Linda Giorgio didn’t need to win anyone’s heart; she’s done that time and again with well-received dynamic donations that could put a smile on the angriest woman’s face. As lore has it, that ageless song “Red Roses for a Blue Lady” – which has been sung in different versions through time – is from a man speaking to a florist after he’d had a tiff with his favorite woman and is trying to win her over by sending her some red roses.

Seeing is how May is Older Americans Month and Mother’s Day was Sunday, the nationally-accredited JSC wanted to do something special, and Assistant Director Millie Santilli began organizing what people called “a marvelous Mother’s Day Family Luncheon” that featured food, fun, fellowship and red roses.

Even the JSC’s famed “Cribbage Crew” – Orlando Ricci, Carmine Spinella, Angelo Gazzerro and Harlan Hershey – agreed that the Mother’s Day Luncheon was a step or two above the norm. There was the usual healthy lunch that began with onion soup and included stuffed chicken breast with gravy, red bliss mashed potatoes, Capri blend vegetables and coffee cake for dessert.

But for those moms – and their guests and in some cases their daughters – there was a shopping opportunity inside the JSC’s well-appointed lobby. Andrea Gartsu, who works at the Hopscotch Room Village in Centredale, was on hand offering special pricing on everything from apparel to jewelry and accessories to sports fan gear and bath and body essentials.

“That place has everything,” said Santilli. “Their village is incredible; and the (Tumblesalts) Restaurant is amazing. I’ve been there and the food is wonderful.”

The village, which owner-developer Brad Aubin has built at the busy intersection of Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence, may be as Santilli and others have noted “the most unique creation of shops in all of Rhode Island.”

The creativity in that village, which also includes a unique Christmas shop, was also featured in the handmade mini-center pieces that JSC Activities Assistant/Sunshine Secretary Jean D’Arezzo made herself then presented to each and every lady at Friday’s luncheon.

Friday’s luncheon also included a drawing for a large quilt that the JSC’s Quilt Club made from scratch and was won by Social Services coordinator Madeline Ravenelle during a lottery-like drawing.

Although there were several other raffles for gift bags, the special presentation of red roses to each and every woman inside the JSC was made special by Giorgio, the highly-popular Marketing Director at Golden Crest Nursing Home in North Providence.

“Linda loves doing this here at the Center,” Santilli said of Giorgio, who has helped make every themed holiday and other events special for the JSC. “We are ever so fortunate – and thankful – that Linda and Golden Crest have become very special friends and members of our family.”